With The Beatles playing in the background, the rhythmic familiarity mingling with the scents of ink and must, Last Word Books in downtown Olympia feels like it always does: welcoming and mysterious.

Basil, the black cat, still mills around, meowing at the occasional customer, and an employee sits behind the till, working the Internet and answering questions.

But today, it's different. There are also volunteers pulling books off the shelf. The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving gets tucked into a rubber storage container; The Hardy Boys gets lovingly looked over before it ends up in a box.

Last Word Books, an independent bookstore that has spent 12 years in downtown Olympia, is packing up.

"We have to be out of here by the end of March," said co-owner Sky Cosby. "But we're not going out of business; we're going underground."

By underground, Cosby means they are "trimming two-thirds of the fat" and "renovating their business model" as well as raising money for moving and back costs. They are in negotiation with the Olympia Press Building on Capitol Way, once home to Capitol City Press and the Olympian. Cosby says they need at least $10,000 to cover the cost of moving.

It's the nature of a business changed by e-readers and online shopping and a crappy economy that forces the move. Cosby says that while walk-in book sales are suffering, two consistent aspects of Last Word Books are online sales and the store's off-shoot endeavor, Don't Stop Printing Last Word Press. These will be the main focus for the new Last Word Books, but keeping a small retail space is also part of the plan.

The goals are shifting and money is tight, but Cosby keeps his vision in sight.

"I just want to be that gatekeeper for information," he said. "A conduit for knowledge that people can't find elsewhere - when they want to buy locally or anonymously or sustainably ... and in order to achieve that dream, we have to completely restructure our operation."

Maybe it's the fact that Cosby grew up in his father's bookstore, Earth Light Books in Walla Walla, Wash., or maybe it's because Cosby was just 19 when he opened his business on a student loan from Evergreen while simultaneously earning credits. But Cosby's mission is in his blood, and it is one that Olympia wants to support.

Last Word Books has an online PayPal account set up for donations, and the crew is working on a Kickstarter campaign. If anyone can volunteer videography skills or extra hands for moving, visit Last Word Books at 211 Fourth Ave., Olympia or give them a buzz at 360.786.9673.

A benefit brunch will also be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2 at Media Island International, 816 Adams St. in Olympia. Media Island keeps its library of zines at Last Word. The cost to scarf down breakfast goods, while listening to a spirited discussion on the role of bookstores and independent media center (natch!), will be $5-$20. For more brunch details, call 360.352.8526.